In a previous blog I mentioned how grueling it is to pack and prepare for a vacation. Over the years many of my friends have pointed out that a major reason they don’t travel is because of all the work that is required to prepare for a vacation that will probably last only 5 days. This is even worse for my friends with children and a husband or wife. The drama multiplies. While I cannot speak on prepping for a family before a vacation, because I generally travel alone and meet the group there, I have planned numerous group trips.

My blog on planning a group trip posted on May 5th will somewhat apply to family vacations. The only drawback is that it does not include children. I will survey my friends with kids and do a blog to address that in the future. This blog will focus on a countdown preparation for the vacation that begins two months prior.

It’s important that if it is more of you then maybe multiply the preparation by the amount of people. This blog is for a solo traveler. If it’s two of you and I say two months prior, that translates to four months prior. Got it? Now let’s get into it!

Two Months Before Your Departure

• Start a consistent exercise regimen at least three times a week. Vacations usually include a lot of touring and walking.
• Start to eat healthy. You want to make sure your body is in good shape to fend off viruses.
• Start taking your vitamins consistently. This ties in with the two points above, helping to build immunity.
• Shopping for things you might need for the trip. I usually start shopping on amazon for clothes I think I might need or accessories etc.
• Make sure your passport will not expire. As mentioned in a previous blog, your passport must be valid for another 6 months before you depart for international travel.
• Check to see if a visa is required for the country you are traveling to.
• Start putting your itinerary together

Two Weeks Before Your Departure

• Get your travel shots. You want to be healthy so get the required shots for the region you’re visiting.
• Fill out whatever paperwork is required for the country you are traveling to. I recently travelled to the Dominican Republic and had to fill out an e-ticket which was required to check in. I ended up doing it at the airport but wish I had done it earlier. Research the country you are traveling to and figure out the required entry documents.
• If you are switching time zones, start synching your sleep with the time zone you are traveling to. This will help to fend off Jetlag, (this might be difficult, but do the best you can)

One Week Before Your Departure

• Start Packing- You should have all the things you bought. Now it’s time to start organizing and packing.
• Get you Hair Done. I usually do this about three days prior.
• Do all other necessary grooming. Bikini, leg eyebrow waxing. Gentlemen, do whatever you all do. Haha
• Get your nails done. Try gel nail polish if you want it to last, or bring your nail polish to the salon and on the trip, so you can top it up if it chips.

The Day Before Your Departure

• Check- in for your flight if you can. if not do it the day of.
• Lock you suitcases. Especially if you’re checking your bags.
• Put name tags on your bags with the correct addresses.
• Remove old airline tags from your bags.
• Organize your airport transfer.
• PACK YOUR CHARGERS. I have to scream that one, because we use our chargers up to the last minute and that’s how we end up forgetting them. Pack ALL chargers as well. Phone, watch, laptop, IPAD, portables.
• Download movies/series from Netflix and elsewhere for your customized in- flight entertainment.

Day of Departure

• Get to the Airport Early. For international flights at least 3-4 hours before. During COVID I was there 5 hours before. Remember you have to scan your bags and take off your shoes before you enter the gates. If you did not check in before the flight or you have bags to check, there is that line as well. It usually takes me around two hours to get through all of that. By the time I eat and use the bathroom I have used up three hours. You don’t want to be rushing through all of that, so give yourself time.

Let me know if I missed anything or if there is anything you would add. Thanks for reading and Safe Travels All!